Athletics News Release

Union’s Blake Allen Drafted by Indians in Eighth Round

Jackson, Tenn. - 6/4/2002 - Blake Allen, a starting pitcher from Union University, has been drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 2002 First Year Player Draft held in New York City. Allen was the 244th player to be selected overall in the draft.

Allen, a 6-foot-2, 205 lb. Humboldt native, has just finished his junior season with the Bulldogs. After undergoing minor surgery and missing the first month of the season, Allen ended 2002 with an 8-1 record and an ERA of 2.36. He led the Bulldogs with 86 strikeouts in just 72.1 innings pitched. Allen has a three-year record at Union of 24-9 and has been one of Union’s top pitchers during that stretch. Allen has been and NAIA All-American, all-region, and all-conference during his three years at Union.

“I’m ready to play”, says the very excited Allen. Allen goes on to say, “This is a dream come true and I couldn’t be more excited. Now I just want to get the talking out of the way so I can start my career.” Now that Allen has been drafted, the contract negotiations will begin soon. Allen doesn’t know as of yet where he will be playing this summer. The Indians have a rookie league team in Burlington, NC, a low single A team in Niles, Ohio, a middle single A team in Columbus, Georgia, and a high single A team in Kinston, North Carolina. The Indians’ double A team is in Akron, Ohio, which plays in the Eastern League.

Rushing, Union’s head baseball coach said of Allen’s pick in the draft, “That’s the team we thought would take him. We had thought it would be a round or two earlier, but this is great for Blake.” Allen joins Luis Ortiz (Red Sox, 1991) as the two highest Bulldogs to be drafted. Each player was selected in the eight round.